Gang ties seen in series of shootings

Gang members are tied to some of the nine shootings that have injured 10 men in Omaha this week, police said Wednesday.

The flurry of gunfire started Monday afternoon when Lamond M. Secret Jr. was shot outside a gas station at 72nd Street and Military Avenue. He was taken in critical condition to Nebraska Medical Center on Monday.

Some of the subsequent shootings were retaliation between rival gangs, northeast precinct Capt. Scott Gray said Wednesday at an Omaha 360 meeting.

Gray said he wanted people to stand up, not live in fear of their community and offer tips to help police cut down on crime.

He referenced last week's shooting death of Officer Kerrie Orozco and said the fugitive involved, Marcus D. Wheeler, who was also killed, had been sought for months.